Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) or private providers as they are also known deliver a range of nationally accredited and non accredited education and training programs. There are about 4000 RTOs across Australia which include business and secretarial colleges, computer training centres and industry based centres.
Each registered training organisation is required to meet standards set out under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). This framework regulates the quality and integrity of training and assessment services provided by RTOs across Australia. Under the AQTF private providers are required to meet the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This includes the implementation of reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning practices. The standards under the AQTF also require private RTOs to implement a number of practices such as documented systems for training and assessment and the recognition of prior learning.
Private RTOs provide courses with qualifications from Certificate I to Advanced Diplomas in a wide range of fields such as beauty therapy, hospitality, travel, business, computing, aviation, childcare, art and design, naturopathy and languages. Private RTOs are also one of the largest providers of Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs alongside TAFE. These programs are excellent for people seeking to upgrade their skills, join the workforce or change employment pathways.
Many private RTOs deliver VET qualifications through training packages that are based on a student achieving a defined set of competencies as opposed to the completion of a course of study. These packages provide a considerable amount of flexibility as training may be conducted at the workplace, off the job, at a training organisation, during regular work, through work experience, work placements or combination of the above methods.
Refer to disability and discrimination for further information on reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning.